2ND TEST – PAKISTAN VS SRI LANKA – FANTASY PREVIEW

After the thrilling finish in the first test, Pakistan and Sri Lanka meets in second and last test match at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Friday. Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan and won by 21 runs on thrilling 5th day of the first test. Pakistan never lost test series in U.A.E. and that creates tremendous pressure to level the series by winning the test in Dubai. The day/night test between Pakistan vs Sri Lanka scheduled to start at 2 PM Local | 3:30 PM IST on Friday, 6th October 2017.

PAKISTAN :

Pakistan played the first test after Misbah and Younis era which ended with disappointing result. Sarfraz Ahmed led the test side for the first time and started his test leadership with the loss. The batting collapses on the final day of first test caused the match for Pakistan. As Pakistan did not loss any test series in U.A.E., they have to re-group quickly and should avoid the series loss by winning this second test in Dubai. Sami Aslam and Shan Masood opened the innings for Pakistan in the first test. They played well in the first innings by scoring respective half-centuries and added 114 runs for the first wicket. But in second innings, both of them dismissed for single digit scores. Masood and Aslam will open the innings for Pakistan again and this time expecting at least one of them to convert fifty into big century. The experienced Azhar Ali moved down to 3rd spot in the batting line-up. He played well matured innings in the first innings and scored 85 runs. His unfortunate dismissal in the second innings was the path for Pakistan collapse on the final day. Azhar has plenty of responsibilities on his shoulders at the moment. As he used to play big knocks in U.A.E., expecting him to play match changing knocks in this test. Babar Azam who was in mixed form for past few months, struggled to score runs in Abu Dhabi test. He managed to score 28 and 3 runs respectively. He is the pillar of Pakistan’s middle-order and the team desperately needs a big knocks from him.

Four years after ODI debut, Haris Sohail made his test debut in the last test. He stepped into test side with an impressive performances with both bat and ball. He has scored 76 and 34 runs respectively and also claimed each one wicket in both innings. He will keep his place in the XI and hopefully, will come with another impressive efforts. The regular middle-order batsman in tests, Asad Shafiq managed to score 39 and 20 runs respectively. As per his caliber, he could play much better innings for his team. Hopefully, that would happen in this series deciding test match. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed struggled in the T20I series against World XI last month and that trend continued in the first test as well. As a captain and also as an individual, Sarfraz needs to be responsive with his performances. The lead pace bowler Mohammad Amir had a disappointed outing in the first test when he bowled wicket-less spells in both innings. He bowled total of 39 overs in Abu Dhabi, still not picked any wicket. As rest of the bowlers done their job well and Wahab Riaz awaiting for his chances, some possibilities for Amir to make a way for Wahab in this test. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas were other two pacers played in the last test. Mohammad Abbas who was impressive on his debut series in West Indies, continued his good performances and claimed 5 wickets in first test. Hasan Ali picked total of 3 wickets in that game and also contributed with a bat in first innings. The ace spinner Yasir Shah bowled as usually well in the first test, where he claimed 3 wickets haul in first innings and 5 wickets haul in second. He is the key bowler and big booster of Pakistan bowling attack. He could come with another game changing performances in Dubai.

SRI LANKA :

After the disastrous home season against Zimbabwe and India, Sri Lanka started their away season with thumping victory over Pakistan in the last test. Sri Lankan batsmen and bowlers responded well with efforts from day 1 to day 5 of the test and those efforts awarded them a thrilling victory on the final day of a test. The captain Dinesh Chandimal helped the team with his big century in the first innings and the former captain Rangana Herath played his part by claiming 11 wickets in the match to assure a victory. The fighting spirit of Lankans were so high throughout the game and it worked out well in the end. After long time, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva opened the innings together for Sri Lanka. Karunaratne made a mark with an impressive 93 runs in the first innings while Kaushal Silva who returned back to the side after a while, managed to score 12 and 25 runs respectively. The openers expected to open the innings again for Sri Lanka and this time expecting Silva to shine with runs. Lahiru Thirimanne shown consistency in the ODI series against India, but he wasted his chances in the last test by dismissed for 0 and 7 runs respectively. As Sri Lanka does not want to risk with the new players in the squad, experienced Thirimanne will get another chance with this second test. There were lot of hope on Kusal Mendis across the format, but his poor form in recent times continued in the last test as well. He managed to score only 10 and 18 runs in the previous test against Pakistan. He should come with the game changing performances to seal the series.

Captain of the side, Dinesh Chandimal batted an unbeaten knock of 155 runs in the first innings of last test. It was his come back innings after awhile. Chandimal is the most experienced batsman in this Sri Lankan unit, as a captain he is in position of scoring another ton to win the game for his team. The former captain Angelo Mathews who was sidelined for the first test due to calf injury, ruled out of second test as well. The promising wicket keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella shown another impressive performances in the last test. He scored 83 and 40 runs respectively and those knocks were match changing ones for sure. As a wicket keeper, he deserves a place in all your fantasy teams. The bowling all rounder Dilruwan Perera has claimed 4 wickets with a ball and also scored useful 33 runs in the first innings. He is capable of picking wickets at crucial stages and also scoring runs at lower middle-order. Sri Lanka played with two left-arm spinners in Abu Dhabi, Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan. The experienced Herath shown his class and claimed 11 wickets for his team. The veteran bowler is the key for Sri Lanka and expecting another huge performances from him in this game. Sandakan remained wicket-less in both innings of first test, which may opens the gate for the fast bowler Vishwa Fernando. The lead pacers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep will keep their places safe as they do their job well.

Cricket is what everyone loves. If you’re ready to play fantasy cricket but don’t know how to analyze players, consider his Articles as the foundation of your fantasy teams. Anand is a cricket blogger and fantasy cricket lover.

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